GSFL Mid-Season Report Cards

Results so far have shown that this is one of the more even GSFL seasons we have seen

With nine rounds done and six to go, the battle for the top two and top four is well and truly alive, which sets up an exciting few weeks to come.

We take a look at what has transpired club by club so far, who has impressed and who hasn’t, and give each club a rating at the midway point of the season.

GSFL Mid-Season Report Cards

RAILWAYS A -

Record 8-1

Coaches Votes Leader: Zane Marwick (39 votes)

AA Footballer of the Year Leader: Joel Want (13 votes)

Leading Goal Kicker: Kenton Gibbs (23 goals)

Positive: The form of new additions Kenton Gibbs and Mitch Green.

Negative: Height both down back and in the ruck leaves them stretched.

Verdict: Railways are in the perfect position to challenge for a premiership after a strong first half of the season. Sit two games clear on top of the ladder, have a healthy list and play Albany twice on the run home. Their midfield remains very strong, Kenton Gibbs has been outstanding at centre-half- forward and creative defender Mitch Green is becoming more damaging as the weeks go on. Hard to fault their game style, well and truly will be contending come finals.

North Albany B

Record 6-3

Coaches Votes Leader: Matt Orzel (36 votes)

AA Footballer of the Year Leader: Matt Orzel (11 votes)

Leading Goal Kicker: Taj Williams (18 goals)

Positive: Their defence have led the way again, conceding the least points of any team.

Negative: Not enough reliable goal kicking avenues.

Verdict: The defending premiers have done well to be in second spot at this point and their next three weeks will be telling as to where they finish. Matt Orzel has again led the way in the middle and the pick-up of Michael Trevenen has been a real bonus. But their front half is a concern. A big loss to Railways was worrying, along with their most recent effort against Royals, and they lack the depth of previous years. Finals are a lock and no doubt they are capable of a fifth flag.

Mt Barker B -

Record 6-3

Coaches Votes Leader: Kym Monteath (26 votes)

AA Footballer of the Year Leader: Joel Gray (11 votes)

Leading Goal Kicker: Kym Monteath (36 goals)

Positive: Injection of youth has been a shot in the arm, led by Kleemann fancy Joel Gray.

Negative: Question marks on their ability to kick a score if Monteath is well held in a big game.

Verdict: Mt Barker enter the back half of the year with a sense of mystery about them. Have mixed their form so far, being the only team to beat Railways, but then disappointing losses to North Albany and Denmark-Walpole. Look very dangerous on paper, especially with a full compliment of travelling players.Gray has been superb and Monteath can win a game off his own boot. Play the Kangas twice more, which is crucial to their top-two hopes. Their best players can get them to another grand final.

Royals C +

Record 4-5

Coaches Votes Leader: Henry Hodge (19 votes)

AA Footballer of the Year Leader: Broomhall/Hodge/Ruck (3 votes)

Leading Goal Kicker: Harry Broomhall (17 goals)

Positive: The recruitment of Cameron Allison complements their midfield well.

Negative: Injuries and absence of key players continues to hurt them.

Verdict: It’s been a funny old year so far for Royals but an upset win over North Albany has them full of hope ahead of the last six games. Have struggled with injuries and player availability, and that will still be a problem for at least the next fortnight. Fighting with Denmark-Walpole for a spot in the finals, it seems, and the two remaining games with the Magpies will determine their fate. Have the quality but the question is can they get the consistency to make the finals and then have an impact in them.

Denmark-Walpole C -

Record 3-6

Coaches Votes Leader: Jaden Guidi (39 votes)

AA Footballer of the Year Leader: Ryan Gaerth (12 votes)

Leading Goal Kicker: Tyler Stone (21 goals)

Positive: An imposing midfield mix containing Guidi and Ryan Gaerth.

Negative: Have lost three games by single figures.

Verdict: It’s fantastic Denmark-Walpole are fighting for a berth in the finals and their side is far more dangerous than in the past couple of seasons. A gutsy win over Mt Barker showed that and they should have beaten Railways twice. Gaerth, Guidi, Tyler Stone and now the returning Shayne Zanetti are all A-graders and can lead the Magpies into the top four. The equation is simple — beat Royals in both their games and pinch one or two more against the top three teams. They are a scary prospect up and going, and could be a real wildcard should they make the four.

Albany D +

Record 0-9

Coaches Votes Leader: Stewart Davies (23 votes)

AA Footballer of the Year Leader: Stewart Davies (3 votes)

Leading Goal Kicker: Zac Pearson (14 goals)

Positive: Five losses under 30 points shows their continued improvement.

Negative: Some of their best young colts still choosing underage football over league.

Verdict: Perhaps Albany’s best season at league level, even without a win. Highly competitive in five of their nine losses. Finals are not in the picture but it’s more about how the next six games play out as they try to build towards next season with a group of talented young kids. Still missing four or five top-class senior players but Zac Pearson has been a real standout and Stewart Davies leads the way in the middle. Deserve a win but it’s hard to see that coming as the other five sides continue to improve. Hopefully they continue to develop their best young kids at league level.